Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Martina Navratilova

Public opinion and media debates around Martina Navratilova—discover key moments of controversy.

Martina Navratilova is a Czech-American former professional tennis player, widely regarded as one of the sport's all-time greats. She held the world No. 1 ranking in singles for 332 weeks and in doubles for a record 237 weeks. Navratilova amassed 167 top-level singles titles and 177 doubles titles, including a record 59 major titles in the Open Era: 18 in singles, 31 in women's doubles, and 10 in mixed doubles. Notably, she holds the all-time record of nine Wimbledon singles titles. Her rivalry with Chris Evert defined women's tennis throughout much of the 1980s.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

July 30, 1981: Article Published

On July 30, 1981, the New York Daily News published an article where Martina Navratilova came out as bisexual, revealing her sexual relationship with Rita Mae Brown, despite her request to delay the publication.

1991: Split with Judy Nelson

In 1991, Martina Navratilova's split from Judy Nelson resulted in a televised palimony lawsuit, which was settled out of court.

2007: Criticism of U.S. Under President Bush

In 2007, Martina Navratilova was quoted as being ashamed of the U.S. under President George W. Bush, drawing a comparison to the communist regime in Czechoslovakia following the 1948 coup d'état.

February 2019: Controversy over Transgender Athletes

Following an article Martina Navratilova wrote for The Times in February 2019, Athlete Ally, an LGBTQ athlete advocacy group, removed Navratilova from their advisory board due to her views on transgender women in women's sports being considered transphobic.

March 2019: Apology for "Cheating" Term

In March 2019, Martina Navratilova apologized for using the term "cheating" in the context of transgender athletes competing in women's sports, advocating for a science-based debate.

April 2019: Op-Ed on the Equality Act

In April 2019, Martina Navratilova wrote an article for The Washington Post expressing her opinion that the Equality Act, as it was currently written, would make it unlawful to differentiate between girls and women in sports based on sex for any purpose.

June 2019: BBC Broadcast on Transgender Athletes

In June 2019, the BBC broadcast "The Trans Women Athlete Dispute with Martina Navratilova," featuring interviews with trans women athletes and sports researchers, exploring the debate on whether trans women have an advantage in elite sports.

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August 2020: Letter to NCAA on Transgender Athletes

In August 2020, Martina Navratilova, along with over 300 women, signed a letter to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) supporting an Idaho law that bans trans women student-athletes from competing in female sports.

2021: Leader of Women's Sports Policy Working Group

In 2021, Martina Navratilova became a leader of the Women's Sports Policy Working Group, formed in response to US President Joe Biden's Executive Order 13988, with the goal of protecting women in sports while accommodating trans athletes.

April 2023: Support for Nike Boycott

In April 2023, Martina Navratilova supported a boycott of Nike after the company partnered with Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender woman, to advertise a sports bra.

October 2023: Criticism of Deb Haaland's Interview

In October 2023, Martina Navratilova criticized US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland's interview with drag queen Pattie Gonia at the Stonewall National Monument, calling the performer a "pathetic parody of women."

2024: Criticism of IOC's Decision

In 2024, Martina Navratilova condemned the IOC for allowing women boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics, despite a lack of evidence supporting claims they are biological males.